THE Kumho Tyre V8 Touring Car Series has received a Bathurst boost, with former frontrunner Ryan Simpson returning.
Simpson campaigned the 2007 Great Race-winning Triple Eight BF Falcon to runner-up in the 2014 series, before switching to Porsche Sprint Challenge and winning that title in 2015.
The best part of a decade on, he’s back in the Kumho Series field for the season finale this weekend at Mount Panorama as part of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst International.
While retaining Parramatta Smash Repairs backing, this time around 36-year-old Simpson will be in a Holden entered by Jim Pollicina.
Specifically, the car is the Tasman Motorsport VE Commodore which appeared in Pollicina’s hands at the 2023 Newcastle Dunlop Series round but never raced in the main game.
Pollicina will also race a VE Commodore at Bathurst.
Also bolstering the 10-car field is Super3 star Cameron McLeod, who’ll make his category debut aboard an ex-Shane van Gisbergen/Stone Brothers Racing FG Falcon.
This weekend is the reborn category’s title decider; Anderson Motorsport’s Jude Bargwanna enters with a 50-point buffer to nearest threat Pollicina.
Entry list: Kumho Series, 2023 Supercheap Auto Bathurst International
| Number | Class | Sponsor | Driver | Car |
| 4 | Kumho Cup | Rightway Industrial | Tony Auddino | BF Falcon |
| 7 | Kumho Cup | MoComm Motorsports Communications | Jim Pollicina | VE Commodore |
| 9 | Championship | Neill Motorsport | Cameron McLeod | FG Falcon |
| 16 | Championship | Parramatta Smash Repairs | Ryan Simpson | VE Commodore |
| 17 | Kumho Cup | TF Maintenance | Jason Foley | BF Falcon |
| 23 | Kumho Cup | RHM / Nulon | Ray Hislop | FG Falcon |
| 25 | Kumho Cup | Weldcraft Motorsport | Paul Boschert | VE Commodore |
| 57 | Championship | Notlaw Racing | Jamie Tilley | FG Falcon |
| 75 | Kumho Cup | Crusher Parts International | Brendan Strong | VE Commodore |
| 79 | Championship | Anderson Motorsport | Jude Bargwanna | FG Falcon |
